C2E2: Jason David Frank Talks Power Rangers

Jason David Frank -- the once and future Dr. Tommy Oliver -- came on stage at C2E2 today to massive applause, proudly showcasing a Green Ranger helmet and getting the crowd riled up. “I know you guys are all grown up now and you’re asking those Pink Ranger questions… you guys!”

Frank talked about how he can’t believe it’s the 20th anniversary of Power Rangers, and was excited to still be celebrating the character and the show after all these years. He told a fun anecdote about buying Green Ranger merch at Hot Topic and the clerk not recognizing him.

“Power Rangers has changed a lot of lives,” said Frank. “I try to motivate people and inspire them, to let them know that they’re not alone.” He talked about losing his brother recently and how when he was first getting the opportunity to join the cast of Mighty Morphin’ Power Rangers, his brother had told him how cheesy it was, but that was what made the show click for Frank.

A huge line formed for fan Q&A. The first question asked was if Frank ever felt “ashamed” about being a Power Ranger. “Visiting kids in the hospital who has a dying wish to see you? No way, man. To experience that – forget cameras, fame, forget all that. I’ve never been ashamed of it. For 20 years I’ve been promoting it and I’m still doing it. It’s part of who I am.”

“There’s a language to being a Power Ranger,” Frank continued, regarding a question about why the Rangers are so full of gestures when in costume and relating it to how a place like Starbucks has its own lingo. He said wearing the helmet and not being able to use your face for expression has to be compensated for with body language.

Frank was moved to by a fan who told him that he was a surrogate father figure via the show when he was growing up, and answered a question about who his own hero was as a kid. He talked a lot about his love for Knight Rider and David Hasselhoff and sitting in KITT at Universal Studios, but that Bruce Lee was his biggest inspiration. He said that it wasn’t just Lee’s work and ability, but also his philosophy and that it’s something he tries to relate in his own life and career.

He talked a little bit about his faith, saying that it’s important to him but he tries to be accepting of everyone’s beliefs and that he leaves that stuff, as well as politics, off of his fan pages. “Who are you voting for president? Let’s vote for Zordon, you know?”

Frank talked a little bit about returning to Dino Thunder, where he started amusingly correcting people calling him “Mr. Oliver” with “Dr. Oliver!” A fan asked if there were plans for him to return as Dr. Tommy Oliver in Power Rangers: Megaforce, and he teased that if he was offered to return, he absolutely would. “I would do it for $1. I do it for you guys, I don’t care about the money.” We've already seen footage of a massive "every Ranger ever" battle in the current Power Rangers Megaforce series, and Frank noted "the Green Ranger" would be appearing in Megaforce (in costume), but couldn't say whether he would be appearing in it yet.

Frank also revealed that he’s in the midst of shooting “My Morphin’ Life,” a new reality show that he’s been filming for about a year now.

A fan told him that he ran into Jason Narvy (Skull) on the train. Frank said that Narvy is hilarious, saying, “He drove from California to Arizona and back one day, and I asked him why, and he just said, 'They have great pancakes there!'"

“The reason I was on the show was the longest is because I was passionate about it. I would’ve done it for free back then. If you’re passionate about [what you do], the money and stuff will follow.” Frank also said that there are plans for a 20th anniversary celebration of the original show, and that there will be more information coming.

Frank said that his favorite Tommy storyline was “Fighting Spirit” from Dino Thunder, and related that he used to get notes from the producers about not cursing when he was doing his moves while filming.

“Everyone loves karate, there’s no choice in my family,” said Frank, mentioning how his wife just won a fight in Thailand in the first round. He didn’t talk too much about his MMA career over the course of the panel, but said that his kids have all trained. “It’s the only sport in America that teaches you values. Karate is not like the Cobra Kais.”

Frank capped the panel by answering the question “Who is your favorite superhero?” He answered, “Wolverine. I was the kid in school that wore the Marvel Wolverine t-shirts.” Typical, Tommy. Typical.

Click on the White Ranger for our review of the Power Rangers: Season 1-7 DVD Collection: